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The FRA Director spoke of the ‘massively problematic situation’ of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT) people in the EU and how intersex people have been too often overlooked, during a presentation at the European Parliament on the Agency’s latest LGBT report.

In some Member States, doctors still view homosexuality as a disease and transsexuality as a mental disorder, according to findings from a new report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Such negative views of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in society, among professional groups and policy makers hampers efforts to counter discrimination and hate crime.

The protection of the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people has been steadily improving in many EU Member States, according to the latest comparative legal update from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). However, in some countries progress is slower. Trans and intersex people particularly face difficulties. Such problems and the differences in legal protection across EU Member States confirm the need to address the gaps in legal protection, as also flagged in the European Commission’s list of actions to advance LGBTI equality presented on 7 December.

Trans people across the EU are often marginalised, and live in isolation or fear, as FRA research has shown. Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November is a day to remember the suffering transphobia has caused and a time to raise awareness of the need to better protect the rights of trans people.

On 10 October, FRA took part in the Conference on Theoretical and Comparative Perspectives to Social and Economic Problems of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Individuals which took place in Istanbul, Turkey.

FRA was invited to present the EU LGBT survey findings at the expert group meeting on measuring the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in New York on 16-17 September.

This year’s International Youth Day is a good time to remind us of the suffering many young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people face daily. FRA research has revealed high levels of discrimination and violence towards young LGBTI people, underlining the need for targeted responses to put a halt to the fear and isolation many endure.

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has developed a new training module on ‘Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation’ for EU and international protection case officers and policy/decision makers.